For the Love of God, Stop Pandering to ‘Modern Audiences’ – They Don’t Really Exist

In recent years, we’ve seen a surge of content that seems desperately crafted to appeal to a so-called “modern audience.” This term, thrown around in marketing and entertainment circles, allegedly represents today’s consumer preferences. But as franchise after franchise suffers under the guise of “modernisation,” it becomes increasingly clear that this mythical “modern audience” may not even exist.

The Cost of Pandering

From iconic film series to beloved book adaptations, it seems nothing is safe from the whims of executives who believe they know what “modern” viewers want. Classic stories are warped, established lore is dismissed, and character arcs that fans have cherished for decades are mangled beyond recognition. All of this is done in pursuit of an audience that supposedly demands these changes, an audience that values ideological messaging over coherent storytelling.

The truth is that while there is certainly a vocal contingent on social media who lobby for certain changes, this group is not representative of the broader audience. For the most part, it consists of a few loud voices with an outsized presence. These are not, by and large, the loyal fans who have supported these franchises for years. Instead, they often represent transient interest, spurred by trending topics rather than genuine investment in the material.

A recent X poll I ran was pretty conclusive at showing what most people think of the so called ‘modern audience’.

Alienating Core Fans

A hallmark of this “modern audience” approach is the flagrant disregard for core fan bases. Long-time supporters who have invested time, money, and emotion into a franchise suddenly find themselves at odds with new content that seemingly caters to everyone but them. The fans who grew up with these stories are told they’re out of touch, that their preferences are outdated. Yet these are the people who would have continued supporting the franchise for years to come—if only it had been allowed to grow naturally rather than being remade in a superficial attempt to be more “inclusive” or “relevant.”

The irony, of course, is that while creators claim these changes are necessary to stay current, they often end up alienating more people than they attract. Nostalgia is a powerful force, and fans want to see beloved franchises evolve, not be deconstructed. A sudden shift in tone, rewriting of established lore, or forced injection of ideology disrupts the connection between the story and its audience. This pandering doesn’t make these franchises more appealing—it turns them into something unrecognisable.

Why the “Modern Audience” is a Mirage

When one looks at box office returns, streaming numbers, and audience reviews, it becomes clear that this elusive “modern audience” simply doesn’t exist at the scale many claim. Sure, people talk about these topics on social media, but how many of them are actually buying tickets or watching the shows they claim to support? The pattern is clear: high-profile films and shows that push hard into this realm often underperform compared to those that respect their roots and stay true to the original spirit.

This isn’t a matter of being against inclusivity or modern storytelling techniques; it's about understanding what makes a story or character compelling. When creators throw these elements in as afterthoughts, rather than integrating them into the narrative with genuine care, it’s obvious—and audiences see right through it.

Time to Return to Genuine Storytelling

Ultimately, fans want stories that feel authentic, characters that feel real, and narratives that respect the legacy of what’s come before. There’s nothing wrong with exploring new themes or diversifying casts, but it should come from a place of genuine storytelling rather than checkbox-ticking. The real audience—the one that spends money, invests emotionally, and stays loyal—appreciates depth, complexity, and creativity. They want something that resonates, not something that is cobbled together based on trending hashtags and social media trends.

So, for the love of storytelling, let’s stop pandering to a “modern audience” that doesn’t exist. Let’s return to crafting narratives that are genuine, that respect the core of what fans love, and that stand the test of time. Because in the end, pandering doesn’t just compromise the art; it undermines the very connection that makes us fans in the first place.